Virginia Portia Royall Inness-Brown
Encyclopedia
Virginia Portia Royall Inness-Brown (1901–1990), noted proponent of the arts and first recipient of the Handel Medallion
of New York City in 1959, was born in Medford, Massachusetts on May 4, 1901. She was the daughter of John Allen Crosskeys Royall and Agatha Caroline Freeman. She married New York publisher Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Sr., on March 26, 1921 in Lillington, North Carolina. They resided in the Village of Plandome Manor, Nassau County, New York. Mr. Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Sr., died in 1972. They had four children: Page Inness-Brown (Tharpe), Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Jr, Virginia Inness-Brown (Conn), and Constance Inness-Brown Von Valkenburg.
Mrs. Inness-Brown was one of the most influential members and officers of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA). She served as the vice-chairman of the International Cultural Exchange of ANTA, 1954–63, national vice-president, 1963–66, vice-chairman, Performing Arts Program "Salute to France", 1954–55, and was chairman of the Drama, Dance, and Theatre Panels of ANTA. She was the international delegate of ANTA to Poland in 1963.
Mrs. Inness-Brown served as a board member of the Phoenix Theatre in New York (closed in 1982), 1959–60; chairman of the Convocation of Congress Hall, Berlin, 1957; board member of the Midtown International Center, New York City, 1963; board member of the National Council of Arts and Government (later National Endowment for the Arts
), 1963–74; special counsel to Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
, 1963–74; United States specialist, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
, State Department, 1961–63; advisory committee of Institute of International Education
, New York City, 1963–76; advisory board, Empire State Music Festival, 1957–64; president of The Little Orchestra Society
, 1966–76; board member of the African-America Institute, 1966–68; sponsor of the Arts Center, Columbia University, 1962; board member of the Spence-Chapin Adoption Service, New York City, 1950–64; board member of the Agnes De Mille
Lyric Theatre Dance Co., 1960–76; trustee of the Professional Children's School
, New York City, 1955–64; trustee of the Vivian Beaumont Allen
Foundation, 1954–64 and vice president of the Foundation, 1962–64; board member, Philharmonic Symphony Society of New York (New York Philharmonic
), 1944–50, and member of the executive and standing executive committees, 1945–50; director of the board of trustees of the Festival Foundation, New York City and Spoletto, Italy, 1961–76; board member of the Clarion Music Society, 1959–64; board member and executive committee member of the Manhattan Division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (later National Conference for Community and Justice
), 1959–76, and national representative to the Conference of U.S. Organizations on the United Nations, 1964; board member, Ballet Theatre Foundation (American Ballet Theatre
), New York City, 1958–78; chairman of the U.S. Committee for the first World Festival of Negro Arts, 1964, and president of the U.S. Committee, 1965-77.
Awards and Achievements
She was the recipient of the Medaille de la Ville de Paris, 1955; Freiheitsglocke (Freedom Bell), the highest cultural award bestowed by the city of West Berlin, 1957; Handel Medallion
, New York City, 1959; Citation for Achievement, Congress Hall Berlin, 1959; Commander's Cross, Federal Cross of Merit, Federal Republic of Germany, 1961; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews (later National Conference for Community and Justice
), 1962; Citation, American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA), 1962; Commandeur, Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, 1966; life member of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Theatre Arts, Museum of Modern Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Episcopalian. Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Women's Auxiliary of the Episcopal Church, 1952-54. Democrat. Close friends of Mrs. Inness-Brown were Vivian Beaumont Allen
(1885–1962), Agnes de Mille
(1905–1993), and Rose Kennedy (1890–1995).
Handel Medallion
The Handel Medallion is an American award presented by the City of New York, New York. It is the city's highest award given to individuals for their contribution to the city's intellectual and cultural life.-Establishment:...
of New York City in 1959, was born in Medford, Massachusetts on May 4, 1901. She was the daughter of John Allen Crosskeys Royall and Agatha Caroline Freeman. She married New York publisher Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Sr., on March 26, 1921 in Lillington, North Carolina. They resided in the Village of Plandome Manor, Nassau County, New York. Mr. Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Sr., died in 1972. They had four children: Page Inness-Brown (Tharpe), Hugh Alwyn Inness-Brown, Jr, Virginia Inness-Brown (Conn), and Constance Inness-Brown Von Valkenburg.
Mrs. Inness-Brown was one of the most influential members and officers of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA). She served as the vice-chairman of the International Cultural Exchange of ANTA, 1954–63, national vice-president, 1963–66, vice-chairman, Performing Arts Program "Salute to France", 1954–55, and was chairman of the Drama, Dance, and Theatre Panels of ANTA. She was the international delegate of ANTA to Poland in 1963.
Mrs. Inness-Brown served as a board member of the Phoenix Theatre in New York (closed in 1982), 1959–60; chairman of the Convocation of Congress Hall, Berlin, 1957; board member of the Midtown International Center, New York City, 1963; board member of the National Council of Arts and Government (later National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
), 1963–74; special counsel to Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a bureau within the United States Department of State...
, 1963–74; United States specialist, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world...
, State Department, 1961–63; advisory committee of Institute of International Education
Institute of International Education
Institute of International Education - is a non-profit organization promoting international exchange of education and training. It was established in 1919 and is based in the USA....
, New York City, 1963–76; advisory board, Empire State Music Festival, 1957–64; president of The Little Orchestra Society
The Little Orchestra Society
The Little Orchestra Society is an American orchestra based in New York City. It was founded in 1947 by Thomas Scherman, who served as its conductor until his death in 1979. Since 1979, the conductor has been Dino Anagnost. Its membership has ranged between 45 and 60 musicians...
, 1966–76; board member of the African-America Institute, 1966–68; sponsor of the Arts Center, Columbia University, 1962; board member of the Spence-Chapin Adoption Service, New York City, 1950–64; board member of the Agnes De Mille
Agnes de Mille
Agnes George de Mille was an American dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Agnes de Mille was born in New York City into a well-connected family of theater professionals. Her father William C. deMille and her uncle Cecil B. DeMille were both Hollywood directors...
Lyric Theatre Dance Co., 1960–76; trustee of the Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School is a not for profit, college preparatory school that was founded in New York City in 1914 to provide an education to young people working on the New York stage, in Vaudeville, or "on the road."-History:...
, New York City, 1955–64; trustee of the Vivian Beaumont Allen
Vivian Beaumont Allen
Vivian Beaumont Allen , patroness of theatre in New York City, funded construction of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center, which was completed after her death. Her father, J.E. Beaumont, founded the May Company department stores to which she was heiress.-External links:*...
Foundation, 1954–64 and vice president of the Foundation, 1962–64; board member, Philharmonic Symphony Society of New York (New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
), 1944–50, and member of the executive and standing executive committees, 1945–50; director of the board of trustees of the Festival Foundation, New York City and Spoletto, Italy, 1961–76; board member of the Clarion Music Society, 1959–64; board member and executive committee member of the Manhattan Division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (later National Conference for Community and Justice
National Conference for Community and Justice
The National Conference for Community and Justice is a national, human relations, non-profit organization in the United States. Its mission is to fight bias, bigotry, and racism and promote understanding and respect through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education.The NCCJ was founded in 1927...
), 1959–76, and national representative to the Conference of U.S. Organizations on the United Nations, 1964; board member, Ballet Theatre Foundation (American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
), New York City, 1958–78; chairman of the U.S. Committee for the first World Festival of Negro Arts, 1964, and president of the U.S. Committee, 1965-77.
Awards and Achievements
She was the recipient of the Medaille de la Ville de Paris, 1955; Freiheitsglocke (Freedom Bell), the highest cultural award bestowed by the city of West Berlin, 1957; Handel Medallion
Handel Medallion
The Handel Medallion is an American award presented by the City of New York, New York. It is the city's highest award given to individuals for their contribution to the city's intellectual and cultural life.-Establishment:...
, New York City, 1959; Citation for Achievement, Congress Hall Berlin, 1959; Commander's Cross, Federal Cross of Merit, Federal Republic of Germany, 1961; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews (later National Conference for Community and Justice
National Conference for Community and Justice
The National Conference for Community and Justice is a national, human relations, non-profit organization in the United States. Its mission is to fight bias, bigotry, and racism and promote understanding and respect through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education.The NCCJ was founded in 1927...
), 1962; Citation, American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA), 1962; Commandeur, Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, 1966; life member of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Theatre Arts, Museum of Modern Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Episcopalian. Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Women's Auxiliary of the Episcopal Church, 1952-54. Democrat. Close friends of Mrs. Inness-Brown were Vivian Beaumont Allen
Vivian Beaumont Allen
Vivian Beaumont Allen , patroness of theatre in New York City, funded construction of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center, which was completed after her death. Her father, J.E. Beaumont, founded the May Company department stores to which she was heiress.-External links:*...
(1885–1962), Agnes de Mille
Agnes de Mille
Agnes George de Mille was an American dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Agnes de Mille was born in New York City into a well-connected family of theater professionals. Her father William C. deMille and her uncle Cecil B. DeMille were both Hollywood directors...
(1905–1993), and Rose Kennedy (1890–1995).
External links
- http://books.google.com/books?id=X3KTj0C2hbwC&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=H.+Alwyn+Inness+Brown&source=bl&ots=4asqpE8_Sk&sig=uNtmKXfuXKuNPOQsJfDneUjQrNg&hl=en&ei=r6FmTPnxJomtngef4YzBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=H.%20Alwyn%20Inness%20Brown&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?id=3jkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=Alwyn+Inness-Brown&source=bl&ots=Z0NKb6nPMy&sig=JHR0WeO4Qls1F5qShOOPnePpJ1I&hl=en&ei=NaJmTN2EBsyMnQfOx5HCBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=Alwyn%20Inness-Brown&f=false
- http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/special/collections/philanthropy/mss007
- http://books.google.com/books?id=QEITAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA181&lpg=PA181&dq=H.A.+Inness+Brown&source=bl&ots=jR-qhz2O6i&sig=BI10HMwJbBxEeYqlanLkbN1e57k&hl=en&ei=UaNmTNCMDsaNnQfunsjBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#
- http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a919856926
- http://books.google.com/books?id=-bkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=Virgina+Inness+Brown&source=bl&ots=NviUXGipkT&sig=IffCLDZb28cPwXaU778ifOkUW-s&hl=en&ei=wqRmTP-ZDYX_ngeYxLnBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CCQQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?id=-1rJTL1zGTwC&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=Virgina+Inness+Brown&source=bl&ots=HLbpO1aoU1&sig=4uPau3Bj1VVZan0zUxqhFinG4HI&hl=en&ei=wqRmTP-ZDYX_ngeYxLnBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDAQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
- http://www.roosevelt.nl/Content/RSC/docs/Finding%20Aids%20Primary%20Sources/Presidential%20collection/07%20Eleanor%20Roosevelt/The%20Papers%20of%20Eleanor%20Roosevelt,%201945-1952,%20Part%204.pdf
- http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/general_library/archives/finding_aids/MUM00503.html